Accident victims being made to pay for medicines, say BJP leaders

They were promised free treatment. However, the victims of Diwa-Sawantwadi passenger train tragedy are being made to buy medicines by doctors at KEM and Sion hospitals, the BJP alleged on Tuesday.
The BJP is a member of the ruling alliance at BMC.

On Tuesday, deputy mayor Mohan Mithbaonkar, house leader Trushna Vishwasrao and BJP's group leader Manoj Kotak visited KEM and Sion hospitals where the victims of the train accident at Roha in Raigad district have been admitted.

During the visit, these patients complained to the leaders that they were being asked to buy medicines. At present, there are 16 of them being treated at Sion hospital, while 11 are recuperating in KEM hospital.

"Many of the patients complained of being made to spend money. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Mayor Sunil Prabhu had said these people would be provided free treatment. But they are being asked to pay for medicines. We brought this to the notice of senior doctors and told them to go by CM/Mayor's diktat," Kotak told reporters.

He added that BMC would provide the victims free treatment till they fully recover. "Victims of such accidents face orthopedic issues. So they will need to visit hospitals again. We will see that our hospitals provide these people free follow-up treatment too," the corporator said.

Asked whether accident victims were not being provided medicines for free, a senior medical officer, requesting anonymity, said: "We will inquire into the matter and take action if anyone is found to be at fault."